Ruthenium-cobalt carbonyl catalysts for the dealkoxyhydroxymethylation of acetals to form glycol ethers

Abstract

The cobalt carbonyl catalyst R 5 CCo 3 (CO) 9 , desirably with Ru 3 (CO) 12 , wherein R 5 is hydrogen; alkyl, preferably C 1-5 lower alkyl; cycloalkyl or substituted cycloalkyl; cycloalkenyl, such as cyclohexenyl or cyclooctenyl; C 1-12 alkoxy, such as methoxy or propoxy; aryl or alkyl-, cycloalkyl-, alkoxy-, halo-, or cyano-substituted aryl; cyano; or a silyl carbyne moiety of the formula R 3 6 Si, wherein R 6 is alkyl or aryl, effectively catalyzes the dealkoxyhydroxymethylation of aldehyde acetals to form glycol monoethers. Methylal, for example, may be reacted with syngas; i.e., CO and H 2 , in the presence of this catalyst system to form the corresponding ethylene glycol monomethyl ether.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. Composition comprising R 5  CCo 3  (CO) 9  and Ru 3  (CO) 12 , wherein R 5  is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, alkoxy, aryl or alkyl-, cycloalkyl-, alkoxy-, halo-, or cyano-substituted aryl, cyano, or a silyl moiety of the formula R 3   6  Si, wherein R 6  is alkyl or aryl. 
     
     
       2. Composition of claim 1 wherein R 5  is hydrogen. 
     
     
       3. Composition of claim 1 wherein R 5  is cyclooctenyl. 
     
     
       4. Composition of claim 1 wherein R 5  is phenyl.